Performance Etiquette for the Solo Pianist

The solo pianist, unlike many other musicians, usually has to man the stage completely by himself. It’s easy to become overly self-conscious because of this fact, but choose instead to focus on showing respectful courtesy to your audience.

▪ Stride to the piano purposefully and relatively quickly. Show enthusiasm and a positive attitude even if that’s precisely not how you feel at the moment!

▪ Place your hand on the side of the piano and bow to acknowledge the audience’s applause. Bow from the waist, count slowly to two, and come back up. Don’t “pop” down and up – be deliberate. A female performer may want to place her hand on her neckline when bowing to prevent her blouse from gaping.

▪ Approach the bench around the back so that the audience can see your face (most people like that). Adjust your bench at this time, if you need to.

▪ Sit down, place your hands in your lap, and find the pedals with your feet. Don’t rush, lest your fingers begin playing before your feet are ready, leading to a disastrous start.

▪ At the end of your piece, return your hands to your lap before standing to bow and smile. Even if you’re not pleased with your performance, maintain a positive bearing and upbeat attitude. Even trained musicians are rarely going to pick up all mistakes, and many people won’t even notice them unless you let on.

▪ If you’re playing a full recital, then you may need to go back for extra bows at the end of the recital if the applause warrants. Place your hand on the side of the piano and bow as before, striding purposefully off stage when you’re done.

Good performance manners can add spice to a less-than-perfect performance and add polish even to the very best. Remember, respect for your audience will take you far!